Self-ejecting fastener



Aug. 12, 1924. 1,505,023

' .J. F. HENCH SELF EJECTING FASTENER Filed June 28, 9 2 Sheets-Sheet l Java M01 J. F Henah.

attoznug 2 Sheetsa-$hee '2 gwue'nl'oz Hench Aug. 12, 1924.

' .1. F. HENCH saw EJECTING FASTENER Filed June 28 1922 Patented Aug. 12, 1924;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SELF-EJECTING FASTENER.

Application filed June 28, 1922.

To all whomjit may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn F. HENoH, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVaterbury, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Self- Ejecting Fastener; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a separable fastener.

One important object is to provide a construction in which the fastener will be selfejecting upon pressure being applied to a part thereof.

Another object is to provide such an article whichis capable of manipulation by a single hand and which will not require engagement or contact of such hand or the other hand with the part, like an automobile curtain, secured by the fastener.

A third object is to provide a fastener having means to coact with the stud or other fixed part to which it is secured so that when disengaged therefrom, ejecting movement is imparted, to the fastener of itself or without the application of extraneous force.

A further object is to provide a fastener having a latch means engageable with a stud and which fastener is operable to disengage the latch means from the stud and has means operable thereupon to eject the fastener.

A fifth object is to provide a construction utilizing a latch means to engage a stud in combination with ejecting means for the fastener and a cam surface on the stud and contractile means for the latch means, so that the ejecting movement of the fastener will be augmented.

A still further object is to provide a construction of fastener having novel means to mount the latch means and having a depressible element having cam means to coact with the latch means and springs of different tension operatively associated with the parts. I

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating one practical embodiment.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrat- Serial No. 571,542.

ing the improved fastener as applied to an automobile curtain and in connection with a cooperating stud for separable engagement therewith Figure 2 is a plan view of the fastener;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the fastener on the line 33 of Fig ure 2 and also including the stud, and support for the curtain;

Figure A is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 3 on the line 83 of Figure 2 but showing the parts in the act of separating;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the latch elements and contractile ring therefor;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the releasing head;

Figure 8 is a detail perspective View of the securing plate for the fastener, and

Figure 9 is a detail view of one of the retaining plates,

Figure 10 is a plan view of the other retaining plate, and

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view on the line 1111 of Figure9.

Like reference characters designate like or similar parts in the different views.

The invention has been shown in the drawings as applied to a side or other curtain as at A, used for instance on an automobile. The invention particularly is adapted for such use, but a limitation thereto is not be implied since it is adapted for use as a fastener generally. In connection with the curtain A, a bow or other partof the automobile or vehicle structure is designated at B. The separable fastener as a whole is designated C and carried for instance by the curtain A and adapted to coact with a stud or similar part secured to the bow B and designated D.

Referring specifically to the fastener C, it utilizes a suitable hollow body or shell as designated 10, having an inwardly extending flange 11 adapted to engage one side or face of the curtain A in combination with a se curing plate 12 adapted to engage the opposite face of said curtain. An annular thimble 13 extends inwardly from the plate 12 and is clinched or otherwise secured as at 14, within the body or shell 10 so as to rigidly clamp or mount'the fastener on the curtain A or its equivalent. It will be able within the shell and head is a latch retaining plate 19 having an annular rim 20 with an outwardly extending flange 21 integral therewith and adapted to limit sliding movement of the plate 19 by abutment with the flange 18 and a shoulder at 22 on the head 16. A second latch retaining plate is provided at 23 and it has a marginal flange or rim 24 spacing it from the plate 19; Intermediate the plates 19 and 23, and adapted for sliding movement with respect to the axis of the fastener, are one or more latch elements as at 25. As shown, the elements 25 are segmental and three in numher, and surrounded by a contractile split ring or spring 26, which urges the radial sides of the elements 25 into abutment. An expansive coil spring 27 within the shell 10 and engaging the flange 11 and the plate 19, normally maintains the flange 21 in contact with the shoulder 22.

A releasing head is provided which is generally designated 28. It has a laterally extending flange 29 which is overlapped by a flange 30 on the fastening head 16 and urged into contact therewith through the medium of an expansive coil spring 31 resting on the plate 23 and abutting the flange 29. The spring 31 is' weaker than the spring 27. Releasing head 28 has an operating ferrule 32, of tubular or hollow formation, preferably,and it also has a plurality of inwardly extending fingers 33 integral therewith. Fingers 33 pass through suitable clearance openings 34 in the plates 19 and 23 and openings 35 provided through the latch elements 25. Fingers 33 have cam 'or oflset portions at 36 to coact with the openings 35 in order to retract the latch elements 25 through engagement therewith.

The stud D may be of any suitable construction and as shown consists of a post or stud proper at 37, having its free end or head spherical or cam shaped as at 38 and with an annular groove 39 about the stud at the base of said surface 38. This post or stud 37 may be secured to its support in any suitable manner and for instance by means of a screw or nail 40 having a head 41 thereon and with a skirt 12 of said post or stud 37 clinched about the marginal edge of the head as shown.

The plates 19 and 23 have central openings 43 therethrough to accommodate insertion of the stud 37.

In applying the fastener to a stud such as 37, it is arranged as shown in Figure 4:, so that the stud 37 will be received through the openings 15 and 43. The fastening head 16, as by engagement of the fingers with the flange 30, is pressed toward the shell 10, sliding thereon, and causing the latch elements 25 due to their engagement with the spherical surface 38 to spread against the tension of the ring 26. Sufficient movement will place the elements 25 opposite the groove 39 in which position they will clip or snap into the groove 39 under urgency of the spring 26, thus locking the fastening to the stud 37. The depression of the fastening head 16 and accordingly of the plate 19, compresses the spring 27. The fastener is shown in a locked position in Figure 3. In order to release the fastener, the releasing head 28 is depressed or moved toward the stud 37 as by engagement of a finger on the rim 32. Such movement of the head 28 causes the cam portions 36 to coact with the latch elements 25 atthe slots 35, retracting the elements 25 or moving them laterally out of the groove 39. W'hen said elements 25 are out of said grooves 39, the compressed spring 27 will expand so as to urge the fastening elements 25 outwardly to such a position but they cannot again engage the groove 39 until the fastening head 16 is depressed or moved inwardly Attention is called to the fact that this fastener is selfejecting inasmuch as the expansive action of the spring 26 as the elements 25 move outwardly, maintains the elements 25 in contact with and causes them to follow the spherical or cam surface 38 to completely or practically completely move it out of engagement with the stud or post 37. Thus in unfastening or detaching the fastener, it is unnecessary to engage the curtain simultaneously or at the same time with the fastener. The securing plate 12 presents a neat appearance at the inside of the curtain and particularly one superior t the usual attaching prongs or the equivalent.

Due to the fact that spring 26 contracts elements 25 about the surface 38, the ejecting movement of the fastener under action of the spring 27 is augmented or increased.

As merely one practical embodiment has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. In a fastener, means to secure the same to a separable part, means movable in one direction to disengage said means from said part, and means thereupon operable along the same axis as the second mentioned means to impart ejecting movement to the fastener and in the opposite direction.

2. In a fastener, means depressible and ineluding a latch operable to engage a separable part, means (lGPlGSSlblB to disengage said to engage said part, said fastener having means to retract the latch means, and spring means to impart ejecting movement to said fastener compressible by movement of the latch means into engagement with said part.

5. In a fastener, in combination with a separable part, latch means on the fastener to engage said part, said fastener having a cam'po-rtion to coact with said latch means, and spring means to impart ejecting movement to said fastener compressible by movement of the latch means into engagement with said part.

6. In a fastener. in combinat on with a separable part, latch means on the fastener to engage said part, said fastener having a cam portion to coact with said latch means, spring means to impart ejecting movement to said fastener compressible by movement of the latch means into engagement with said part, and means operable to release said latch means whereby said spring will 8X- pand to impart ejecting movement to the fastener.

7. In a fastener, a depressible fastening head, latch means operable by said head for engagement with a separable part, means operable to disengage said latch means from said part and means to impart ejecting movement to the fastener after disengagement from the latch means.

8. In a fastener, a depressible fastening head, latch means operable by said head for engagement with a separable part, means operable to disengage said latch means from said part, and a spring compressed by latching movement of said head whereby it will expand upon release of the latch means to impart ejecting movement to the fastener.

9. In a fastener, latch means engageable with a separable part, a depressible releasing head, means on said releasing head to retract said latch means through depression of said head, and spring means coacting with said latch means to impart ejecting movement to the fastener upon disengagement of the latch means with the part,

10. In a fastener, a shell, a fastening head slidable on said shell, latch means to engage a separable part, mounting means for said latch means slidablewithin said shell and head, said mounting means having a part extending intermediate the fastening head and shell to control the movement of the mounting means, an expansive spring in engagement with said mounting means, a releasing head, said releasing head being removable against said mounting means to move said latch means toward a fastening position said spring being compressed through movement of said mounting, means to fastening position, whereby upon release of the latch means, the spring will impart ejecting movement to the fastener.

11. In a. fastener, a shell, a fastening head slidable on said shell, coacting flanges on said shell and head to prevent separation thereof, a plate slidable within said shell and head, a rim on. said plate, a flange extending from said rim and overlapping said flanges, said fastening head having a shoulder for engagement by the flange of said plate, a plate disposed on said plate, a latch slidably disposed intermediate said plates, spring means to urge the latch to a fastening position, a releasing head, the flanges on said fastening head and releasing head overlapping, said releasing head being slidable, an expansive spring in contact with the releasing head and the second mentioned plate, an expansive spring stronger than said spring in contact with the body and the first mentioned plate, said plate and latch having openings therethrough, and a coacting cam extensible through said opening and carried by said releasing head.

12. In a fastener, latching means to engage a separable part, a spring compressible through latching movement of said means, said part having a cam surface to facilitate movement of said means to latching position and to augment ejecting movement of the fastener through expansion of said spring.

13. In a fastener, latch means engageable with a separable part, a plate mounting said latch means, a depressiblehead with which said plate is movable, a head depressible to release said latch means from said part, and spring means coacting with said plate to impart ejecting movement to the fastener upon disengage-ment of the latch means with said part. 7

14. In a separable fastener, the combination with a stud member provided with a surface extending longitudinally and inwardly toward its outer end. a socket member adapted to receive said stud member including latch means movable laterally with respect to the stud member to separably engage the same, and means operable upon unlatching of said latch means from the stud to cause said latching means to follow said surface and impart ejecting movement to one of the members with respect to the other member.

:15. Ina separable fastener, the combination with a stud member provided with a "surface extending longitudinally and inwardly toward its outer end, a socket member adapted to receive the stud member, a latch movable laterally with respect to the stud member, a carrier for the latch forming part of the socket member, a spring spect to the other member.

16. In a separable fastener, the combina tion with a stud and asocket adapted to receive the stud, stud and socket latching means, means operable to cause said stud and socket latching means to engage and follow a portion of the surface of the stud when said stud and socket latching means is in released position, and said portion of the surface being shaped so'that the said movement of the stud and socket latching means will impart separating movement to the stud and socket.

17. In a separable fastener, the combination with a stud and a socket adapted to receive the stud, stud and socket latching means, the stud. having a cam surface outwardly of the zone of latching engagement of the stud and socket, means operable to cause said stud and socket latching means to engage and follow said cam portion when said stud and socket latching means are in released position to impart separating movement to the stud and socket.

18. A separable fastener having a socket,

a latch therefor, means engage-able by said latch to secure the socket in fastened position, and said means having a portion engageable by the latch after release from fastened position to cause separating movement of the socket and the first mentioned means.

19. A separable fastener having a stud and a socket adapted for separable connection, a latch carried by the socket to engage the stud, and means operable to cause the latch after reaching 21 released position to more longitudinally and inwardly with respect to the stud to cause separating movement of the socket and stud.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JOSEPH F. HENCH.

Vitnesses JOSEPH A. NEAGLE,

JOHN S. Nelsons. 

